Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-11-18
CURRENT AFFAIRS.
7HE FINAL SCENE


DEA1H UNFL1NCHGNGLY, WITH CHEERS FOR
ANARCHY-THE INCIDENTS ATTENDING THE
EXECUTION.
As was briefly stated in our issue of last
week. the extreme penalty of the law was
inflicted at Chicago last Friday upon Au-
gust Spies, Adolph Fischer, George Engel
and Albert Parsons, the four anarchists ad-
judged guilty of the murder Of seven po-
licemen in HaymarRet square on May 4th,
1886. No julicial execution in this coun-
try has ever attracted such widespread at
tention. For the first time in our national
history a capital sentence was imposed upon
men who, by violent methods, sought to
revoutionize society. The story of the
conviction Of these men, the unsuccessful
attempts TO procure their pardon, the com
mutation Of the sentence Of two of their
associates. Fielden and Schwab TO imprs-
onment for life and the suicide Of the
bomb maker, Lingg, have all been told ;
and at last, on the scattold this awful TRACE
dy has been brought to a close. The an
archists were consistent to their professions
to the last, and braved death with the ''mien
of men reckless and fearless Of what S past, ,
present and 10 come"
The final preparations for the execution
began Friday morning at 1l:2s O'Clock,
when Sheriff Matson, Jailer Folz Rev. Dr.
Bolton and score Of deputies advanced TO
Spies's cell to read the death warrant Spies
listened attentively his face did not change
for an instant. When the sheriff finished.
Spies looked at him moment steadily but
without malevolence. aud then said senten.
tiously sheriff, you are now about to
commit a judicial murder" He said moth
Ing more, but stepped quickly from his cell
threshold to be pinioned. He was dressed
in pair of dark woolen trousers, shirt Of
lght-gray flannel fastened at the throat
with IA red cord, and pair of embroidered
slippers a fresh beard was growing on
his chin, and his light, wavy hair was brush
ed back carelessly. Taking his watch from
his pocket he handed it to a deputy, asking
him to send it to his mother. A strong
leather belt was then passed around his
body pinioning his arms straight down 10
where pair Of manacles behind him fast
ened his wrists together. \ moment later
his body was completely enveloped in a
white shroud, gathered about the neck.
Fischer was even more Indifferent to the
reading of the warrant than Spies had been.
Like Spies, he told the sheriff that it was a
judicial murder He was neatly dressed in
blue flannel shirt and new dark hreeches,
and had been shaved but few hours be
fore. lie nodded 10 Spies IN u pleasant
manner, and asked him in German how he
felt Spies smiled good -nuturedly and re
piled that he felt first rate Engel heard
the reading Of the death warrant with IN.
| difference, and did not utter word Of com
ment Alew minutes later. while standing
beside Spies and Fischer he said We'll &:
as if to inquire their feelings Spies and
Fischer replied by smiling and nodding
cheeriy. Before their arms were pinoued.
all Of the men shook hands with Jailer Foll
and the deputies surrounding them. Par
sons's warrant was read last He seemed
TO have nerved himself up to a great ten.
sion, and had nothing 10 say in reply. Like
Engel, he was clad IN full suit Of black
dress clothes, even to a Prince Albert coat.
He stepped lightly from his cell when the
reading was finished but drew back invol-
unfairly at the sight Of the three ghostly-
| looking figures, bound and shrouded, before
him. Again he stepped out, this time with
a look Of defiance. Bind me tight, he
said, and be sure and make no mistake. '
The deputy complied only too well, and Par
sons had him reach under the shroud and
ease one Of the straps. That's better, - he
remarked with "A smile: NOW am ready.
Forming in double file each of the four
anarchists, side by side with deputy, We're
now headed east and started for the gal
lows \ stop at the iron door of the cages
| gave the four chance 10 turn their head,
| in the direction Of the second gallery of
/ the jail and bid good-b bye several times to
! Schwab and Fielden. Brother Schwab,
shoute Fischer, speaking in German. I'VE
wish you happy life and that you may
soon be free Then he added, "Good-bv
| Sam Goodbye, Sam, echoed spies and
Engel Parsons said nothing Schwat
stood at the door Of his cell his hands fold
ed behind, his brow overhung by matted
hair pressed against the iron bars Tear,
streamed down his cheeks and ran into hi,
| black and unkempt beard. He was so over.
come by emotion that ne could not speak
Rev. DR.. Bolton offered the prisoners spirit
ual consolation for the last time, but sar
castle smile lit up their faces as they resum
ed their march along the corridor and turned
| slowly into the dark east angle disappear
! ing like ghosts up the steps of the scatiold
As the men were led out upon the scaffod
/ ia view bl Tue spectators EhlutIcA heloh
| Sheriff Matson walked before them, facing
| them. Spies followed, with an officer on
his right after him Fischer, and then En-
| gel. Parsons did not at once appear, and
a whisper, Parsons is saved, passed about
among the spectators; but he came forth il
"A moment more. The men were PLACED
upon the trap All were ghastly pale
! Spies looked terribly, as if every nerve wa'
at a high tension Engel shuddered Par
sons looked calmly on the men beneath his
face was as that of IA man of iron, and {
murmur Of admiration went around. En-
| gel at this moment said something 10 tn,
! deputy by his side, and laughed heartily
/ making the officer smile. The rope wa,
then placed around each mans neck, with
out causing the least change in their self
possessed demeanor When the caps wer,
brought forward to be drawn over theil
faces, spies said something in an undertone
evidently demonstrating but at a sign from
the sheriff the cap was adjusted, and tn,
face of the anarchist leader had been seeI
for the last time in life Engel's head wa
next covered. then Fischers, Parsons's last
There was a moment of deathlike stiffness
Then, clear and distinct, came the voice o
Spies His form Strengthened up. Tn,
muslin seemed to move in harmony with hi
lips;
Our silence is more powerful thai
speech ~
That was all, but there was ring to i
that echoed far around. Silence again 70
"A second, then in a loud voice, "Hurrah 70
anarchy :" came from Engel, Anothe
pause, broken this time by the voice O
Fischer This is the happiest moment o
our life -
The clear, well-modulated voice of Par
sons broke the oppressive stiffness. Their
was not the enthusiastic ring in it tina
marked the utterances of the others. Their
was scarcely defnable pause between eacl
word
shall be allowed 10 speak Oh, mel
and women of dear America--'
The sheriff shifted his position a little
He was several feet away from Parsons
but the latter must have seen the move
ment through the folds of the cap. Their
was rising infection in his voice as he de
manded
Let me speak, Sheriff Matson. Let tn
voice of the people be heard
Down went the drop. The last words o
Parsons had died upon his lips. Four bodie
swung in the air, and the Haymarket mas
sacre was avenged.
Immediately after the execution the bo
dies were delivered over 10 friends o.
Sunday the funeral services were held
thousands of men, women and childre
joining in the procession, which was an OF
derly one. Fifteen bands furnished music
and the hearses were covered with flowers
The remains were Inferred in Waldheir
cemetery
1t was feared that the anarchists NIGH
make some disturbance at Chicago on Fri
day, but the city was thoroughly ON it
guard, aud no demonstration was attempt
ed. At New York ON Thursday eyenin
5000 men paraded the streets, and at Bos
ton and other places meetings in protes
against the execution were held, At Mort